Improving visitors' hand hygiene compliance in a pediatric oncology unit. 2022

Angie Owings, and Lori Christion, and Craig Gilliam, and Bethany Glover, and Shalini Bhatia, and Li Tang, and Hana Hakim
Department of Infection Prevention and Control, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN.

Hand hygiene (HH) is the single most important method to prevent infections. We aim at improving HH compliance by visitors to a pediatric oncology unit. A performance improvement project implemented several Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles in July-November 2018. At baseline, a wall-mounted alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispenser was available at the unit entrance. Cycle 1 (visual cue), cycle 2 (visual cue plus verbal symptom screen), and cycle 3 (visual cue, symptom screen, plus HH verbal instructions) were tested. Patient care associates (PCA) positioned at the entrance implemented the cycles and recorded data about visitor's estimated age, day and time of observations, and covert HH compliance monitoring. Participating PCAs were surveyed regarding process feasibility. Of 1230 (97%) analyzed observations; 204 (17%) were baseline, 293 (24%) in cycle 1, 374 (30%) in cycle 2, and 359 (29%) in cycle 3. The visitors' HH compliance significantly increased to 16.0%, 22.5%, and 48.5% in cycles 1, 2, and 3, respectively, from a baseline of 4.9% (P < .001). Visitors were more likely to perform HH when directly instructed (cycle 3) compared to baseline (adjusted OR = 19.77, 95% CI, 10.30-42.09, P < .001). Although the surveyed PCAs agreed the process is easy and fast, they reported few barriers. Direct verbal instructions for HH were the most effective in improving visitors' HH compliance.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009369 Neoplasms New abnormal growth of tissue. Malignant neoplasms show a greater degree of anaplasia and have the properties of invasion and metastasis, compared to benign neoplasms. Benign Neoplasm,Cancer,Malignant Neoplasm,Tumor,Tumors,Benign Neoplasms,Malignancy,Malignant Neoplasms,Neoplasia,Neoplasm,Neoplasms, Benign,Cancers,Malignancies,Neoplasias,Neoplasm, Benign,Neoplasm, Malignant,Neoplasms, Malignant
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D003428 Cross Infection Any infection which a patient contracts in a health-care institution. Hospital Infections,Nosocomial Infections,Health Care Associated Infection,Health Care Associated Infections,Healthcare Associated Infections,Infection, Cross,Infections, Hospital,Infections, Nosocomial,Cross Infections,Healthcare Associated Infection,Hospital Infection,Infection, Healthcare Associated,Infection, Hospital,Infection, Nosocomial,Infections, Cross,Infections, Healthcare Associated,Nosocomial Infection
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000431 Ethanol A clear, colorless liquid rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed throughout the body. It has bactericidal activity and is used often as a topical disinfectant. It is widely used as a solvent and preservative in pharmaceutical preparations as well as serving as the primary ingredient in ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. Alcohol, Ethyl,Absolute Alcohol,Grain Alcohol,Alcohol, Absolute,Alcohol, Grain,Ethyl Alcohol
D019983 Guideline Adherence Conformity in fulfilling or following official, recognized, or institutional requirements, guidelines, recommendations, protocols, pathways, or other standards. Institutional Adherence,Policy Compliance,Protocol Compliance,Adherence, Guideline,Adherence, Institutional,Compliance, Policy,Compliance, Protocol
D063373 Hand Hygiene Practices involved in preventing the transmission of diseases by hand. Hygiene, Hand
D064548 Hand Sanitizers Preparations used as alternatives or supplements to hand washing with soap and water to destroy microorganisms and prevent transmission of pathogens. The active ingredient may be ETHANOL; 1-PROPANOL; or POVIDONE-IODINE in a gel, foam, or liquid solution. Hand Antiseptic,Hand Disinfectant,Hand Sanitizer,Hand Antiseptics,Hand Disinfectants,Antiseptic, Hand,Disinfectant, Hand,Sanitizer, Hand

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